Initially founded as Rittner & Co. in 1829, the company name evolved to Rittner & Goupil in 1841, then Goupil & Vibert, and finally to Goupil & Cie. The publishing firm was founded by Henri Rittner and Adolf Goupil in Paris. It established various branches in the 1840s in London and New York, supported by American artists in Paris and contemporary French painters in America. In 1861 Goupil and Leon Boussod entered into partnership with Vincent van Gogh (uncle of the artist) in Paris. Originally a print shop, the company expanded to include paintings and drawings. The firm was a central force in the French art market of the nineteenth century and carried the work of contemporary academic artists, principal figures of the Barbizon School, Impressionists, and some Old Masters, particularly Dutch. The London branch of the firm was known as the Goupil Gallery. The gallery ran exhibitions of French and British art and biannual Salons, as well as representing individual artists including Whistler. Goupil et Cie ceased operations in 1919.